HC Deb 27 February 1945 vol 408 cc1238-9
67. Sir W. Davison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that land and buildings requisitioned by Service Departments for war purposes can at the end of the war be compulsorily purchased by such Departments under the Defence of the Realm Acts, 1842–1935, and that local authorities, public amenity societies and individuals will not have the protection afforded to them under the provisions of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Bill now before the House; and will he see that the necessary legislation is introduced to remedy this anomaly.

Sir J. Anderson

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, though my hon. Friend will appreciate that the power of the Service Departments to acquire land for defence purposes is general and is not restricted to purchase at the end of the war of requisitioned properties. As regards the remainder of the Question, the experience of the present generation does not suggest that this is a time to diminish long standing powers possessed by the Service Departments under the Defence Acts to acquire land essential for defence purposes. One inescapable reason why such acquisitions cannot be made the subject of public inquiry and report is that in many cases it would not be possible to disclose the full reasons for the acquisition.

Sir W. Davison

Does my right hon. Friend think it reasonable that public amenities societies, local authorities and individuals should have their property taken, as indicated in the Question, under the Defence Acts, without the safeguards and the right of appeal given to them under the Requisitioned Land and War Works Bill? It seems to be an anomaly which should be altered.

Sir J. Anderson

No one recognises more fully than I the value of the safeguards which are included in that Bill and which, it has been suggested, should be extended over an even wider field, but, as I have pointed out, there would be a serious practical difficulty which would stand in the way of anything in the nature of a public inquiry under these Defence Acts. At the same time, I fully recognise that proper consideration ought to be given to the question of amenities and orderly planning in these cases, as in others.